NEWS Sharing stories of Georgia transforming lives and communities Volume 18, Issue 2, Winter 2021 Mobile libraries bring books and more into communities

Georgia Service funds technology projects across the state

Public libraries step up in tough times

3

Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Georgia public libraries step up in tough

times Ben Carter

By Julie Walker, state for Getting digital learners and workers what they Georgia needed, fast

In spring 2020, Georgia Public Library Service met As a new year begins, we look forward the urgent needs of students learning remotely. with hope to new opportunities and We purchased laptops on behalf of our libraries ways to serve our Georgia communities and assisted them in making connections to K-12 and college students who needed them. Because in 2021. I’m so proud of our library staff Georgia Public Library Service is located within across the state, who, even while librar- the University System of Georgia, we coordinat- ies were closed, found ways to help pa- ed with all 26 campus locations to quickly give trons in need of books, internet access, students without a device the tools they needed to finish their semester. and more. Their innovation inspires me every day. We heard from college students, workers, and parents with young children who were grateful for being able to borrow devices to complete I’m pleased to share some of the ways their work. that Georgia’s 411 public libraries stepped up during COVID-19. Additionally, libraries provide a host of online resources to help students of all ages, including the free practice tests and lessons in Learning Ex- press and language learning in Mango Languag- es. Our PINES library card serves more than 300 Courtesy of Newton County Library System Chelsea Kovalevskiy libraries across Georgia, and this Our public libraries have played hotspots or tech-to-go packages fall, we launched a PINES ecard such an essential role in pro- to patrons. You can read more that gives you an easy way to viding access as Georgians about our effortshere . register for all digital resources coped with the consequences of offered at your local library, in- COVID-19. Libraries help students keep cluding GALILEO and the Entre- reading preneurial Learning Initiative. We also are funding bigger proj- ects using TV white space and Summer reading is such an im- We partnered with Grow with some Wi-Fi extenders, so librar- portant tool to keep kids learn- Google to connect jobseekers ies could share their free Wi-Fi ing when school is out. In 2020, and small businesses with library out into more public areas like our libraries made the switch to resources to build digital skills parks and community centers. virtual summer reading pro- and grow businesses online. Currently, we are granting funds grams. were able to Connectivity offered by libraries to our public libraries to boost create vibrant, well-attended provided a lifeline to Georgians their technology services for online programs. Many libraries in applying for jobs or govern- things like lending internet continue to use Beanstack year ment services during this partic- round for reading programs in ularly difficult time. partnership with local schools. Additionally, we continue to Providing internet to those provide the eRead Kids digital without access library, which features more than 20,000 electronic and Many people who live in Geor- audiobooks for kids in pre-K to gia’s rural areas lack basic in- fourth grade. It is freely avail- ternet access, which became able through all public libraries an even bigger problem during in the state. times of distance learning and business shutdowns. This spring, Libraries, innovated there were many times when our library parking lots were full of Our libraries have done an vehicles - workers, families, and exceptional job pivoting to an students logging on to the free entirely new service model in internet that all of our public 2020. Going far beyond curbside libraries continue to provide service and virtual program- outside their buildings. We have ming, they have stayed in touch seen record internet usage 3 and in tune with their individual across Georgia libraries in 2020. communities to provide whatev-

GPLS

3 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Our libraries have done an exceptional job pivoting Georgia Public to an entirely new service model in 2020. Library Service funds technol- Going far beyond curb- side service and virtual ogy projects programming, they have stayed in touch and in across the state tune with their individual Public libraries across Georgia have played an communities to provide essential role in providing internet access during COVID-19, especially in rural and underserved whatever is needed, from areas that lack basic connectivity. This has been especially evident during times of distance learn- food to connectivity to ing and business shutdowns, when people needed entertainment to edu- to access public Wi-Fi to complete work. cational support, all the For the 35,000 residents of Harris County, Geor- gia, the local library has been a lifeline during while striving to keep COVID-19 closures. The two-year-old facility is in Hamilton, a rural town with around 1,100 resi- everyone safe and well. dents located just north of Columbus, Georgia.

“To say libraries are still offering a vital service er is needed, from food to connectivity to enter- during the pandemic would be an understate- tainment to educational support, all the while ment,” said Ryan Willoughby, the executive striving to keep everyone safe and well. Libraries director of Habitat for Humanity of Georgia, Inc. have built and strengthened community partner- “There is only one public Wi-Fi spot where I live, ships, as people continue to depend on libraries and that is the Harris County Public Library - for for much more than books. the entire county.”

In 2020, we’ve learned that, more than ever, During the statewide shutdown, Willoughby spent libraries are essential. I look back with gratitude several hours a day using the library’s parking lot to all of our library patrons, staff, friends, and Wi-Fi access to do his work. A majority of Harris funders who helped sustain us. It’s because of you County does not have access to broadband inter- that our libraries can transform lives and commu- net apart from unreliable cellular options, and nities. broad swaths have no internet access at all.

Please reach out anytime with questions or feed- Recognizing this need, Georgia Public Library back at [email protected]. n Service has dedicated federal CARES Act funding,

4 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians along with state and private Grants have already been will ensure educational oppor- grant funding, to a variety of awarded for 11 tech innovation tunities are not missed due to technology projects through the projects totaling $186,000, from poverty or lack of access.” Libraries Without Walls grant. network hardware upgrades to The funding aims to boost the tech loaning programs. The Oconee Regional Library connectivity needs of our public System will use their Library libraries to better serve their Two of the 11 recipients are the Without Walls grant to fund a community’s needs in five focus Sara Hightower Regional Library Tech to Go program. The library areas: System and Oconee Regional will combine an assortment of Library System. useful technology and guide • Bringing libraries up to a stan- materials that patrons can check dard level of Wi-Fi connection The Sara Hightower Regional out just like a book. Examples and statistics gathering. Library System, located in north- include at-home internet access • Providing Chromebooks so west Georgia, will use the grant kits for school, job hunting, re- libraries can create a lending to provide internet hotspots for search, and productivity; digital program for patrons. checkout. photography and digital media • Migrating libraries from creation and editing; kid-friendly outdated email and productiv- “A number of our patrons live stop-motion animation kits and ity tools to the cloud-based G in areas where internet access tutorials; outdoor adventure kits Suite from Google. is not available,” said Dela- including a GoPro; and digital • Supporting projects that em- na Sissel, director of the Sara music production. brace innovative technology to Hightower Library System. “Our address the changing needs of library serves three counties You can learn more about libraries. with many people who need grantees and their projects at • Using Wi-Fi expansion tech- these hotspots to be able to galibtech.georgialibraries.org/ nologies to boost the internet complete their work and studies. lift-grants. n beyond the library. This service to our community

3

Daniel Zeiger 5 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Deborah Hakes

Forsyth County Public Library launched its in November. With nearly 250 square miles to cover in the county of over 236,000 residents, demand for bookmobile services is expected to be high. Cobb County Public Library

Cobb County Public Library’s bookmobile partnered with local middle schools to distribute donated books to underserved communities.

6 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Mobile libraries bring books and more into communities For those who don’t have transporta- tion to get to a library, and other traveling library services bring books and resources directly to those who need them.

As the Cobb County Public Library’s bookmobile There are 10 bookmobiles across Georgia’s public came to its weekly stop at a local church, a four- library systems: Cobb, Forsyth, Piedmont, Middle year-old boy with his mom jumped excitedly up the Georgia Regional, Bartram Trail, Moultrie-Colquitt stairs, eager to see if the librarians had found a new County, Chattahoochee Valley, Conyers-Rockdale, dinosaur or shark book for him to borrow. Southwest Georgia Regional, and Gwinnett libraries offer mobile service. “They are always here. Even if there is bad weather, the boy’s mom will come to pick out books for him,” Additionally, more than 20 public libraries have oth- said Mary Wood, community engagement manager er types of mobile outreach, such as a van or even a at Cobb County Public Library. “During these visits, bicycle that travels to community events, day cares, they received their first library card. The bookmo- senior centers, and more. bile enabled us to share the power of reading, liter- ally bringing the library closer to this little guy.” These services have become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people began For those who don’t have transportation to get to working and attending school remotely. While all 3 a library, bookmobiles and other traveling library public libraries in Georgia provide free high speed services bring books and resources directly to com- Wi-Fi access in their parking lots, many people who munities. lack internet access also lack a way to get to the

7 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians library. “If it wasn’t for the Mobile outreach now increasingly library bringing its includes ways to bring the library’s free internet into communities. large print collec-

For example, the Chattahoochee tion and sharing Valley Libraries’ bookmobile pro- about low vision vides internet for local nonprofits when requested, including one accessibility ser- group that needed a safe, out- door space for their participants vices, I would have to access the internet and power. The bookmobile also spends four had to give up my hours a day at four regular weekly lifelong love of stops in areas with a high concen- tration of families without inter- reading.” net access. well as areas where transportation Forsyth County Public Library options are limited. launched its bookmobile in No-

vember. It includes a wide col- “Many of the areas we visit are not lection of books, an interactive only in need of wireless access, screen on the exterior of the but also access to a computer and vehicle for programming, and printer,” said Sarah Reynolds, out- internet access. With nearly 250 reach manager at Forsyth County square miles to cover in the county Public Library. “We have two patron of over 236,000 residents, demand laptops on board to help bridge this for the bookmobile services is gap. Recently, I worked with a se- expected to be high. The library nior citizen to re-up her food stamp worked with local organizations to benefit using the bookmobile. Our determine places that are under- services are very needed.” served by library branches, as

Top: A young reader explores a book on the Forsyth County Public Library’s new bookmo- bile, which travels across the county’s 250 square miles to serve residents. (Deborah Hakes)

Middle: Community Engagement Coordinator Keamber Farely with the new Middle Georgia Regional Library book bike that supports the mobile Library Without Walls (Library WoW) branch. (Mark Bohnstedt)

Bottom: Cobb County Public Library partners with a local food pantry for drive- through food distribution, where the library provides monthly craft kits for kids. (Cobb County Public Library)

Opposite page: Photos from Forsyth County Public Library’s bookmobile (Forsyth County Public Library)

On the cover: The Piedmont Regional Library System launched its new outreach vehicle in November 2020. Though slowed down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, their Pop-up Rolling Library (PuRL) will visit farmers markets, day cares, community events, and senior centers across three counties. (Piedmont Regional Library System)

8 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Photos by Forsyth County Public Library

Forsyth Library has found that library now partners with a local their most successful recent visits drive-through food distribution have been to lower income hous- site to give out 1,100 craft kits ing developments that have lots to families each month. They of children. Many residents are work with two middle schools Spanish speakers, and the library’s in high-needs areas to connect bilingual staff member has made a children to books and build big difference in providing quality home libraries for school breaks. library services to parents and their They also host bookmobile pop- munity events, and senior centers children’s reading adventures. up in the park events where families across three counties. attend an in-person storytime and COVID-19 has both amplified the check out books. “COVID-19 hit just as we were get- need for these services and also ting PuRL,” said Alicia King, commu- made changes necessary in the way “We are responding to the changing nity engagement and office admin- bookmobiles operate. In Forsyth, needs of Cobb County residents istration coordinator at Piedmont masks are required, and patrons are to support learning and literacy in Regional Library System. “As our given a limited amount of time on meaningful ways,” said Mary Wood. communities are opening up, and board to ensure safety for them- safety standards have been estab- selves and for library staff. The Piedmont Regional Library lished, PuRL is helping each library System launched its new outreach reach beyond their four walls to Cobb County Public Library mod- vehicle in November 2020. Their3 engage the whole community and ified its bookmobile strategy due Pop-up Rolling Library (PuRL) visits promote all that the library offers.” to COVID-19 in several ways. The farmers markets, day cares, com-

9 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians One of PuRL’s senior center patrons said that they Library WoW provides both English and Spanish could no longer travel to their local library. services, and it is especially focused on populations who may have difficulty accessing the library in a “If it wasn’t for the library bringing its large print traditional way, such as senior citizens, the home- collection and sharing about low vision accessibility less, those who have been incarcerated, and those services, I would have had to give up my lifelong love who might not be comfortable accessing traditional of reading,” she said. “I love the days they come to libraries. our center!” “Georgia’s public libraries have long been leaders In 2020, Middle Georgia Regional Library launched in developing innovative ways to serve their com- both a bookmobile and a book bike that travels by munities,” said State Librarian Julie Walker. “It’s no request into the community for events and festivals. surprise to see them respond quickly to COVID-19 to It is the third bike of its kind in Georgia (the others bring literacy resources, internet, and more to those are at Fulton County and Thomas County public in need.” n libraries).

Both vehicles serve Middle Georgia’s Library With- out Walls mobile branch (Library WoW), which has brought library services to the community since 2017 and can be requested through the library’s website.

10 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Every Thursday morning when we walk down the stairs to open the library, at least one person is there waiting and asks, “Is Mr. Tom coming today for The Hart watercolor?”

What started as a hobby became an unexpected passion for retired librarian of the Tom Hart. Semi-famous in the south Georgia, north Florida area as a former instructor at the School of Library and Information Science at Florida State University, Tom has also worked as a consultant for libraries, and he can even Library be occasionally heard rallying the pledge drive for the local NPR station.

By Jessica Wilson, Tom first became involved with the Roddenbery Memorial Library in Cairo, Roddenbery Memorial Library Georgia, in the 1970s. He would bring his library school students to look at the state-of-the-art audiovisual system, and it was then that he met Wessie Connell, Roddenbery Library’s founding director.

As their friendship grew, Hart began taking library staff to listen to lectures at the university. After learning about Hart’s work on various building proj- ects, Connell invited him to consult on the library’s renovation in the 1980s.

Jessica Wilson “Miss Wessie envisioned the library as a community center and a museum. She recognized that for many patrons, the library might be their only oppor- tunity to visit such a place,” said current Library Director Janet Boudet. With its marble walls, airy ceilings, art collections, and beautiful garden areas, the Roddenbery Memorial Library is a focal point in the city. Connell saw Hart as someone who could help bring this vision to reality.

Tom went on to design other libraries in the United States and across the world, including Lima, Peru; Alexandria, Egypt; and Paris, France.

After retiring from teaching in 2005, he started watercolor painting as a hob- by. In 2011, a former student of his, Pamela Grigg, became the director of the Roddenbery Memorial Library, and Tom’s involvement with the library was Tom Hart and a student, Joan Cassels, with her first watercolor renewed when she invited him to teach watercolor painting classes there. painting. After a career as a librar- ian, professor, and library designer, It didn’t take long for the weekly class to fill up. The classes were packed Hart has gained a reputation for elbow-to-elbow into a makeshift space. As the library began planning its next being a great watercolor instructor at the library. renovation, completed in 2019, it became clear that the library needed a classroom dedicated to adult learning, and the library’s makerspace was born.

Tell us YOUR Once the renovation was complete, Tom and the class were free to meet with library story by more room to move. As word spread that the library was open again, more emailing students began showing up. One group in particular, a special needs learning communications@ group, became regulars. And after Tom learned that not everyone was able georgialibraries. to come because of transportation issues, he decided to take the class to org or using them. It wasn’t long before he offered to teach the class at the local senior center as well. #GeorgiaLibraries. 3 “Who knew, of all the things I have done in my life, this would be the most re- warding,” Tom said of teaching the watercolor class. For this retired librarian, teaching in the library became a way to fulfill and share a passion. n

11 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 213

2872 Woodcock Blvd, Suite 250 Atlanta, GA 30341 Courtesy of GPB Courtesy

C O N T A C T U S

Georgia Public Library Service 2872 Woodcock Blvd, Suite 250 Atlanta, GA 30341 (404) 235-7200 www.georgialibraries.org

Julie Walker, state librarian Deborah Hakes, editor Georgia Public Library Service is pleased to partner [email protected] with Georgia Public Broadcasting to celebrate Be My Library News (ISSN 1546-511X) is published by the Georgia Public Library Service, the state agency that empowers public librar- Neighbor Day: Share a picture or video to show us ies to improve the lives of all Georgians. how are taking care of yourself, your family, and your This publication is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Georgia community! We’ll highlight photos and videos on social Public Library Service under the provisions of the Library media and on GPB TV. Tune in to GPB TV on Feb. 20 at 9 Services and Technology Act. Information presented in this newsletter will be provided in a.m. for a special Be My Neighbor Day watch party with alternative formats on request. For more information about Daniel Tiger himself! Be My Neighbor Day is supported Georgia’s libraries, visit georgialibraries.org by PNC Grow Up Great.® www.gpb.org/neighbor.

Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians